Capahas tuned in for NBC

The Plaza Tire Capahas have so far not had the type of postseason success they were looking for, failing to win their own National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional for the third consecutive year and going just 2-2 in the American Baseball Congress Tournament held earlier this week in Indiana.

But longtime Capahas manager Jess Bolen figures his squad can make up for all that with a strong showing beginning just after midnight tonight when they begin play in the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan.

The Capahas (29-10) face the Red River League champion from Oklahoma at 12:30 a.m. Monday. Because of rain, the Red River League winner had still not been determined at press time.

"It's a fun place to go, a good place to end your season, to play the best competition in the nation," Bolen said.

The NBC World Series, consisting of 46 teams in a double-elimination format, annually features many of the nation's premier college players, quite a few of whom eventually find their way to the major leagues. This is the 70th year for the event.

The Capahas will be participating in their 23rd consecutive NBC World Series, including the last three as an at-large selection after they failed to win their own regional.

"We're lucky to be there the way I look at it, because those at-large bids are not easy to come by," Bolen said. "We've had another good year, but we didn't win the regional again, which was disappointing.

"But if you do well out there, you'll forget about what happened in the regional."

A loaded pitching staff that has been the strength of the team figures to carry the Capahas' hopes into the tournament, although key hurler Josh Joiner is out with an arm injury. Jason Chavez is scheduled to start the opener.

"Our pitching has pretty much been outstanding all year, and Jason has had another very good year," Bolen said. "Like always, a lot depends on your pitching. If we pitch well, I think we've got the potential to make some noise out there."

The Capahas have had plenty of success over the years in Wichita, with several top-10 finishes, including a high of fourth in 1988. Last season they lost both their tournament games.

"We're looking forward to playing out there and hopefully doing well," Bolen said. "We'd like to get at least 30 wins to end the season, so we need at least one more win to do that."

If the Capahas win their opener, they'll play again Wednesday. If they lose their first game, they won't see action again until Friday.